Brian Kennedy has endured six months of living adjacent to a subterranean fire that has been burning at temperatures reaching up to 500C.

The fire has left Brian and his neighbours contending with smoke, ash, and a potent chemical odour that has been likened to a "war zone", with some residents describing the experience as unbearable.

The scene unfolding on a suburban street in Coatbridge is unexpected and alarming.

From the street, the houses on Burleigh Street appear to be typical west of Scotland homes, but the reality is far from ordinary.

At the rear of the properties, a wooded area has been the site of deep-seated fires that have been sending smoke billowing into the air, causing concern among residents about their safety.

An investigation by experts revealed that an underground fire, fuelled by oil shale used in the construction of a railway line 120 years ago, was the source of the problem.

Although the cause of the fires remains unclear, efforts to extinguish them involved the removal of tonnes of molten material from deep beneath the surface.

Brian, who grew up on Burleigh Street and returned with his wife Allison two years ago, has been witnessing the smoke plumes from his window since last summer.

In an interview with BBC Scotland News, Brian described the situation as reminiscent of World War One, with the constant smoke and ash a stark contrast to the area's former tranquillity.

He drew parallels between the current state of his neighbourhood and the trenches of World War One, highlighting the drastic change.

Brian reflected on the area's past, describing it as a haven for wildlife and a beautiful place to live, now marred by the ongoing fire.

Allison expressed her fear of the fire spreading to their house, recounting nights when she would rush downstairs in panic after seeing a red glow through the bathroom window.

On multiple occasions, she would hear the fire crackling and fear the worst, thinking that the fire had spread to their property.

The constant dirt and grime have made it impossible for her to maintain their garden, and the smell has been a persistent problem.

Allison noted that the smell was so potent that her sisters, who live 10 minutes away, could also detect it.

The smell has been a significant issue for the residents, with many struggling to cope with the constant odour.

Allison's sisters, who live nearby, have also been affected by the smell, which has become a persistent problem for the community.

Residents were advised to keep their windows and doors closed during the fire and excavation process to minimize exposure to the smoke and ash.

Despite these precautions, residents have struggled to keep their properties clean, with soot and dirt accumulating on windows, patios, and cars.

Some residents with pre-existing health conditions, such as COPD and asthma, have reported a worsening of their symptoms, while one resident noted that even their dog had started to cough due to the poor air quality.

However, the local authority has maintained that air pollution levels have remained within safe limits throughout the incident.

Andrew Gallagher, another resident, described the scene from his bedroom window as resembling a "war zone", with multiple fires and smoke plumes visible.

He recounted the unpredictable nature of the fires, which would erupt at any time, including in the early hours of the morning.

The area, once teeming with wildlife, has been transformed into a desolate landscape, with residents likening it to Chernobyl.

Andrew noted that while the smoke has begun to clear in recent months, the aftermath of the fire is still a disturbing sight.

The fire has left residents and authorities alike searching for answers, with many struggling to comprehend the scale of the disaster.

David Haggerty, group commander for Lanarkshire at the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, stated that this was the first subterranean fire he had encountered in his 25-year career.

The fire service first responded to the incident in July, after a series of small surface fires were reported over several weeks.

As they dug deeper, they realized the complexity of the situation and escalated the issue to the council, which then brought in specialist engineers and contractors.

One of the experts called in was Stewart Browne from the engineering firm WSP, who used geothermal imaging and 100-year-old maps to uncover the source of the fire.

Stewart discovered that the area behind Burleigh Street was once the site of a railway, which had been built using oil shale.

Oil shale, a material that was historically mined from the bedrock, was found to be the fuel source for the underground fire.

Although it is unclear what sparked the fire, Stewart noted that the combination of the fire's location and its proximity to the houses made it a particularly complex incident.

The fire was found to be burning at temperatures of up to 500C, requiring contractors to carefully excavate the material and allow it to cool before removal.

Stewart described the fire as "fascinating" but acknowledged the unfortunate circumstances surrounding it.

The excavation process involved removing tonnes of material, some of which was akin to "molten lava", and allowing it to cool before it could be safely removed.

This process generated significant amounts of smoke, which residents have been dealing with for months, and created a "sauna" effect when water was added to cool the shale.

The material removed during the excavation was often found to be in a molten state, making the process even more challenging.

North Lanarkshire Council has confirmed that the fire has been extinguished, with approximately 30,000 tonnes of material removed from the site.

The successful extinguishing of the fire brings an end to a difficult period for the residents of Burleigh Street, who can now begin to rebuild and recover from the ordeal.

Residents are anticipating the imminent departure of diggers, which they hope will mark a permanent conclusion to the excavation work in the area.